AROUND THE MAJORS : Orioles’ Hammonds Sent to Double-A

Teams are required to cut down from 28 to 25 players by midnight tonight, and the Baltimore Orioles started working in that direction by sending Opening Day right fielder Jeffrey Hammonds to double-A Bowie and putting outfielder Andy Van Slyke on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left forearm. . . . The Kansas City Royals waived third baseman Keith Miller and catcher Russ McGinnis. . . . The Chicago Cubs put pitcher Chris Nabholz on the 15-day disabled list because of a lower back strain and sent pitchers Tom Edens and Tanyon Sturtze to triple-A Iowa. . . . The Boston Red Sox activated pitcher Zane Smith from the 15-day disabled list and he started Sunday’s game. They also designated pitcher Joel Johnston for reassignment and sent pitchers Mike Hartley and Frankie Rodriguez and infielder Steve Rodriguez to triple-A Pawtucket.